Titus 1:5–9 “The Density of Faith”

Titus 1:5-9 NIV

Suggested Praise Songs:

• The Stand – Hillsong
• Hillsong United – From The Inside Out
• No Longer Slaves – Bethel Music, Jonathan & Melissa Helser

Resources for Family Worship (with Children):

• The Playground – Lesson for Kids
• Power Shuffle | True North VBS | Group Publishing -Song for Kids
• Whole Lotta Change | Roar VBS | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Let’s Get A Little Crazy | Kingdom Rock VBS Music Video | Group Publishing – Song for Kids
• Discussion Questions for Children & Youth are located in the section after Explanation, Meditation, and Prayer (at the end of this email/blog).

Explanation:

The Apostle Paul ministered with Titus on the island of Crete, but later left him there to continue the work. The “unfinished business” (v. 5) refers to the tasks necessary to organize those who had received the gospel into a church community. The most important of these tasks was to “appoint elders in every town.”

The term elder refers to a spiritual leader who governs the church in a given region. In verse 7, Paul uses the word overseer, which is employed synonymously with elder. Elder is a term rooted in Jewish tradition, highlighting a person’s character and maturity (“an elder”). Overseer is a term rooted in Greek tradition, emphasizing the nature of the role (“a manager”). Whether called elder or overseer, this is someone recognized for their spiritual leadership and entrusted with guiding the church.

Therefore, anyone appointed as an elder or overseer must be someone acknowledged by the congregation for their spiritual leadership. They must be morally blameless and set an example in family life as well (v. 6). Paul calls such a person “God’s steward” (v. 7). The role they carry is a holy responsibility entrusted by God. For this reason, they must possess the character and qualities necessary to carry out that responsibility (vv. 7–8). Only then will they be able both to guide the believers and to refute those who oppose the truth (v. 9).

Meditation:

The Apostle Paul sets very high standards for the spiritual leaders of the church. The fact that he presented such high standards means that there were indeed people who could meet them. The gospel had only recently been brought to the island of Crete, and most of the believers were still new converts. Yet it is remarkable that there were already people who had reached such a high level of faith and character.

Those who have lived a life of faith for many years know how difficult it is to fully share in God’s character. Like yeast that works its way through the whole batch of dough, believers hope that the power of godliness will spread evenly into their thoughts, words, and actions so that the fragrance of Christ may be revealed through them. But in reality, they continue to find themselves lacking. Just when they think they have reached a certain level of holiness, an old habit suddenly resurfaces.

When we consider this, we cannot help but admit that believers today fall far behind the early church in terms of the density of their faith. In Paul’s time, believers staked their very lives on their faith. To accept the gospel in that society meant losing everything. Because they chose faith with such resolve, they experienced an astonishing transformation in a short time.

In comparison, today faith often holds no more weight than an optional add-on in life—a hobby or leisure activity. We do not believe in the resolve to lose everything, but with the desire to gain just a little more. As a result, even after decades of faith, there is little true change. Yet we still imagine ourselves superior to believers of the past. How pitiful this truly is!

Prayer:

Lord, heal and restore our faith. The yeast of the gospel within us has remained clumped and hardened, and our dough is becoming like stone. Holy Spirit, let the yeast of the gospel spread throughout our whole being, and transform us into a fragrant offering. Amen.

Discussion Questions for Children & Youth:

Key Point: True faith is not something we add to our lives—it transforms our whole being. Just as yeast works through dough, the gospel should spread into our thoughts, words, and actions so that we reflect Christ.

• For Preschool-Elementary
  • What happens when yeast is mixed into bread dough? How is that like the gospel in our lives?
  • Why do you think God wants us to show Jesus’ love in the way we talk and act every day?
  • Can you think of one small change you could make this week to show more of Jesus to others?
    
• Youth
  • The early Christians were willing to lose everything for their faith. What are some things people today are afraid to lose if they follow Jesus fully?
  • How does treating faith like a “hobby” weaken our witness to others?
  • What does it mean for the gospel to spread into every part of your life, not just Sunday worship?